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The Republic says that Mayor Smith fired a "warning shot" at any interests in Arizona who would seek to steal the Cubs. We'd say that he "laid the smack down." By basically telling everyone else to back off and challenging the fact that any efforts to move the Cubs elsewhere in the valley would be strengthening their move to Florida, any team looking to pilfer the team should have some second thoughts.
First, it's clear that the Mayor is going to fight very hard for this team. This is, in fact, a big test for the Mayor. He has has a lot of successes, thus far, making a big difference in some major deals that were started before his time. However, this will be done completely under his watch, and how it ends will have implications on his legacy. By standing up and speaking out, the Mayor shows that he understands the gravity of the situation and expresses his desire to lead.
Next, Arizona financial situation plays a big role in this debate as well. Mesa is going to have a challenge finding a revenue source that doesn't include taxes. For the most part, all of the cities are in the same boat, especially since the state budget is far from fixed. However, with the D-Backs deal and other tribal groups looking to bring other team to their communities, there are different revenue sources that can be tapped. However, locating a team on Indian land is frought with its own perils, not to mention the negative reaction to the potential use of stimulus money to fund a stadium.
Finally, the rest of the Valley needs to realize what the Cubs do to the overall Cactus League. The commenters who say that the Cubs should leave because they "stink" have grossly underestimated the dedication of their fans and the drive they have to bring people to the valley. Spring Training works as an event because people make the Valley their spring break destination. For a lot of those people, it is the only time in the year that they will get to see some of these teams. When Cubs fans come to town, they not only see games in Mesa, but they usually travel around the valley and watch the Cubs play other teams as well. Before these other places step up and try to steal the Cubs, they should ask themselves, should we risk all that we have for the chance to get more?
That sounds a lot like gambling, and if the Cubs are really into gambling, you can bet they will locate near one of these giant casinos. We're sure the Cubs faithful who are used to bricks and ivy are going to want to come out to the desert to sit in neon and concrete. Meanwhile, the folks behind the drive in Naples, Fl, are just hoping that someone else in the Valley takes on Mesa for the bid. It's the only way they become a legitimate contender. Otherwise, it is going to be much easier for the Cubs to use Naples as leverage to get more from Mesa.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Freshmen may return to Mesa High Schools
With shrinking enrollment and growing competition, Mesa Public Schools is looking into returning freshman to high school campuses after a twenty plus year absence. This will boost the enrollment in many of the high schools, trickling down to the six graders moving to the junior highs and leaving fewer students at the elementary level.
They say that the move will allow for competition, with students in private schools being able to enter public high school directly following 8th grade, instead of having to wait a year to go into high school. They are trying this program with a "bridge" pilot which appears to be working at some of the schools and shows promise for going district wide.
We can see how this problem would be helpful in being competitive for enrollment. However, the question is, how does this program save money? Would MPS then close down and consolidate elementary schools? Would they reduce staff? What other changes would be implemented along with this program?
Overall, we see a lot of potential in this program, but we have also seen the reaction parents have when they think programs are being taken away. Understanding how this Freshmen program would work in the context of the overall Mesa Public Schools overhaul is going to be important for its success.
They say that the move will allow for competition, with students in private schools being able to enter public high school directly following 8th grade, instead of having to wait a year to go into high school. They are trying this program with a "bridge" pilot which appears to be working at some of the schools and shows promise for going district wide.
We can see how this problem would be helpful in being competitive for enrollment. However, the question is, how does this program save money? Would MPS then close down and consolidate elementary schools? Would they reduce staff? What other changes would be implemented along with this program?
Overall, we see a lot of potential in this program, but we have also seen the reaction parents have when they think programs are being taken away. Understanding how this Freshmen program would work in the context of the overall Mesa Public Schools overhaul is going to be important for its success.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Power of Twitter - Cubs Update
We started twitter at the beginning of the year, we had no idea that it would so quickly become the source of major information. From celebrities to sports stars, Twitter is the new great way to get the word out, or in some cases, get in trouble. As for the Cubs staying in Mesa, a lot of the discussion today happened within Twitter's friendly confines, with the biggest news coming that Senator John McCain has made a pitch for the Cubs to stay in Mesa via his official twitter page (@SenJohnMcCain).
Also in the news, Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) discussed the issue quite a bit today on his Twitter feed, ultimately driving his blog post on Mayor Smith's defense of the Cubs onto the front page of AZCentral. In some ways, Resnik has become the Valley's tweet reporter of note because of his updates from the Coyotes hearings and other important local events.
With Senator McCain on Mesa's side and the Mayor telling the rest of the Valley "hands off," we have seen some big news today. Hopefully, more names will start to come on board as they realize the tremendous financial impact that the team has on the entire State. We have a feeling that Twitter will play a major part throughout which is why we recommend everyone should probably follow Keep the Cubs (@KeeptheCubs).
Also in the news, Brahm Resnik (@brahmresnik) discussed the issue quite a bit today on his Twitter feed, ultimately driving his blog post on Mayor Smith's defense of the Cubs onto the front page of AZCentral. In some ways, Resnik has become the Valley's tweet reporter of note because of his updates from the Coyotes hearings and other important local events.
With Senator McCain on Mesa's side and the Mayor telling the rest of the Valley "hands off," we have seen some big news today. Hopefully, more names will start to come on board as they realize the tremendous financial impact that the team has on the entire State. We have a feeling that Twitter will play a major part throughout which is why we recommend everyone should probably follow Keep the Cubs (@KeeptheCubs).
Mesa Police Chief position gathers a lot of interest
More than 50 people have applied to replace former Police Chief George Gascon. It's great to know that there is a lot of interest out there in the position. However, without knowing the names that are on that list, there is no way to know how many quality people there are and allow us to make any discernments on who may be a real contender.
We can probably safely assume that some, if not all of the three assistant chiefs who have thrown their name into the ring will be on the interview list. Are any of the other names rumored to be out there true?
We can probably safely assume that some, if not all of the three assistant chiefs who have thrown their name into the ring will be on the interview list. Are any of the other names rumored to be out there true?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Cubs and Mesa: A History
Hat tip to Keep the Cubs for pointing out a really interesting article about the Cubs and their history in Mesa from over the weekend. It's hard to believe that the Cubs first arrived in Mesa in 1952.
They left for Florida for 14 years in the late 60's and early 70's before returning to Mesa to play in the first Hohokam. Now, 30 years after the Cubs return, Mesa is trying to make sure that we don't lose them again. Any new facility in Mesa would be the fourth stadium for them in about 60 years. When you judge how much has changed in that time (especially in Spring Training across the valley), it doesn't seem too out of line for the Valley's preeminent team.
It would be nice to think that the tradition of playing Mesa would be enough to keep the Cubs here and they would be willing to wait for better times to get a new stadium. The cold reality is, they are probably not all that likely to be willing to wait. They are currently one of the "have nots" in a league that absolutely needs them more than they need the league. Team Mesa better have a good plan, because they are going to need it.
They left for Florida for 14 years in the late 60's and early 70's before returning to Mesa to play in the first Hohokam. Now, 30 years after the Cubs return, Mesa is trying to make sure that we don't lose them again. Any new facility in Mesa would be the fourth stadium for them in about 60 years. When you judge how much has changed in that time (especially in Spring Training across the valley), it doesn't seem too out of line for the Valley's preeminent team.
It would be nice to think that the tradition of playing Mesa would be enough to keep the Cubs here and they would be willing to wait for better times to get a new stadium. The cold reality is, they are probably not all that likely to be willing to wait. They are currently one of the "have nots" in a league that absolutely needs them more than they need the league. Team Mesa better have a good plan, because they are going to need it.
Mesa: DC Darling
Gateway Airport is going to receive a $8.9 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to help expand their terminal. This makes up nearly the entire cost of the planned expansion. This is great news for the growing hub, especially since the expansions will be needed to accommodate the potential traffic from the Gaylord.
With this latest from the FAA and the news last week that Mesa is getting stimulus funds for fire stations, it's hard not to think that Mesa is the new darling of Washington DC. Is it because Mesa has been at the back of the line for awhile and now has a lot going for it? Or is it because Democrats are going after Mesa?
Either way, it's nice for Mesa to finally be on the winning end. Momentum is contagious and the more we focus on our success the more success we'll attract. Let's just hope that all this generosity from DC doesn't come with strings attached.
With this latest from the FAA and the news last week that Mesa is getting stimulus funds for fire stations, it's hard not to think that Mesa is the new darling of Washington DC. Is it because Mesa has been at the back of the line for awhile and now has a lot going for it? Or is it because Democrats are going after Mesa?
Either way, it's nice for Mesa to finally be on the winning end. Momentum is contagious and the more we focus on our success the more success we'll attract. Let's just hope that all this generosity from DC doesn't come with strings attached.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Follow @MesaIssues - Twitter Friday
It just so happens that #FollowFriday is also Twitter Friday at Mesa issues, including another edition of Mesa Issues rewind.
The blogging today will be micro-style via our twitter page @MesaIssues. Check us out at http://twitter.com/mesaissues. We would always appreciate a follow!
The blogging today will be micro-style via our twitter page @MesaIssues. Check us out at http://twitter.com/mesaissues. We would always appreciate a follow!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Good news for Gaylord Mesa?
Gaylord is putting some cash together, approximately $325 million according to Gary Nelson. He is predicting that this cash will go towards the start of the Gaylord Mesa project, which is good news, if it can be confirmed. We have heard from several people that construction costs are much lower right now, and any work done in this current economy will be more affordable and much more competitive.
In all, the project is worth $750 million. Whether it happens now or later, this is the type of economic opportunity that we can look forward to in helping boost our local economy. It is good news that things appear to be moving in the right direction, and they would do well to provide more frequent updates to the public as things start to happen.
In all, the project is worth $750 million. Whether it happens now or later, this is the type of economic opportunity that we can look forward to in helping boost our local economy. It is good news that things appear to be moving in the right direction, and they would do well to provide more frequent updates to the public as things start to happen.
Will anyone back the Sheriff in his Stapley witchhunt?
When you want to prosecute someone, the first step should be finding someone who is willing to do it. In the case of Sheriff Joe's vendetta against Maricopa County Supervisor Don Stapley, Arpaio appears to have skipped that step. Now, the question is, who will prosecute latest Stapley case?
It turns out that the Sheriff's latest arrest came as a surprise to just about everyone. How can anyone look at this situation and not think that this is just a case of political retribution? If you were a prosecutor, would you want to be part of this case? We wouldn't be surprised if no one wants to touch it with a ten foot pole. The only problem is, if you refuse the Sheriff, do you end up on his enemies list as well?
It truly is a scary time to live in Maricopa County where a man has free reign to do what he wants and arrest whomever he feels like. How much louder can we say that Sheriff Joe is out of control?
It turns out that the Sheriff's latest arrest came as a surprise to just about everyone. How can anyone look at this situation and not think that this is just a case of political retribution? If you were a prosecutor, would you want to be part of this case? We wouldn't be surprised if no one wants to touch it with a ten foot pole. The only problem is, if you refuse the Sheriff, do you end up on his enemies list as well?
It truly is a scary time to live in Maricopa County where a man has free reign to do what he wants and arrest whomever he feels like. How much louder can we say that Sheriff Joe is out of control?
Report Copper Theft
Copper theft is costing you money. In fact, it is costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and labor. Mesa is already in a budget hole, and these type of unbudgeted repairs cost materials and labor that we simply don't have the money for. Blogger Joanna Allhands is right, we should be angry about this.
First, these thieves are costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to retrieve only a fraction of that cost in copper. Where are they selling it? How do companies look the other way as people bring in wads of clearly used and hastily lashed together copper? How are legitimate businesses getting a way with promoting theft?
Second, isn't there something Mesa can do to make the bases of these polls more secure? A could of screws doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Can you weld a lock on these things or some other way to secure them more? At least it would take the thieves longer to crack the case.
Finally, it's up to all of us. Everyone needs to keep their eye out for suspicious activity, especially near parks and other facilities that have a lot of lighting. When you are in a public facility, you should remember that your tax dollars help pay for it.
First, these thieves are costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage to retrieve only a fraction of that cost in copper. Where are they selling it? How do companies look the other way as people bring in wads of clearly used and hastily lashed together copper? How are legitimate businesses getting a way with promoting theft?
Second, isn't there something Mesa can do to make the bases of these polls more secure? A could of screws doesn't seem to be doing the trick. Can you weld a lock on these things or some other way to secure them more? At least it would take the thieves longer to crack the case.
Finally, it's up to all of us. Everyone needs to keep their eye out for suspicious activity, especially near parks and other facilities that have a lot of lighting. When you are in a public facility, you should remember that your tax dollars help pay for it.
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